Zimbabwe Judge Says Military Action Against Mugabe Was Legal

High Court Judge George Chiweshe on Friday ruled that the military’s actions “in intervening to stop the takeover” of Mugabe’s constitutional functions “by those around him are constitutionally and lawful.”

The military stepped in almost two weeks ago after Mugabe’s firing of deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa amid fears that Mugabe’s wife was positioning herself to take power.

Zimbabwe’s military has sought to show its actions were not a coup.

The judge said the military’s actions ensured that non-elected individuals do not exercise executive functions.

Separately, the judge said Mugabe’s firing of Mnangagwa as vice president was illegal. Mnangagwa was sworn in as president on Friday in a whirlwind reversal of fortunes.